Matilda went toddling off in front, sniffing at every bit of poo she came across. Ruby said, “Duck poo’s her favorite.”

I told Ruby about The Jones coming to Dother Hall and what Seth had said to Flossie, but I didn’t tell her about the poster. She said, “If I were Seth, I’d be a bit frightened of Flossie.”

“I think he likes her being off with him. He said that he was sick of all the milky local girls and that Flossie was a cracking snogger and had a strong right hand.”

Ruby said, “Is Flossie a cracking snogger then? I am.”

I’m not going to encourage Ruby by saying anything. But she went on anyway.

“You should know if she’s a cracking snogger because you told me that the Tree Sisters did practice snogging together.”

Did I?

But then fortunately Matilda stopped and started barking at something in the ditch. Well, not barking because she can’t really bark—it’s more loud snuffling.

Ruby was excited. “She must have found them. Oh, GOOD girl, good girl, you’ve found them.”

And we both ran down the lane. But when we got there, it was a carrot that Matilda was barking at. Ruby said, “She dun’t even like carrots.”

Matilda started eating it.

It’s sad that the owlets have gone. I said to Ruby, “I wrote a rap song about the owlets leaving. Do you want to hear it?”

She said, “No. Me dad’s written a rap song for The Iron Pies. It goes,

I’ll not lie

I like a pie

But I like my toast and

I’m off just now for me Sunday roast.”

What a week and it’s still only Wednesday. Dr. Lightowler has been appearing unexpectedly, just looking at me wherever I’ve been. The other terrible thing has been that Jo has started her “plan.” She is being “good.”

You wouldn’t think any fool would fall for it, but she called Monty “Mr. de Courcy” yesterday and asked him to tell her all about his theater career. Serves her right that he took her seriously and she had to go and have a lie-down after two hours. With a piece of ice (chipped out of the sink) on her head.

She’s trying “being good” with everyone.

Helping carry Gudrun’s books.

Doing voluntary dance lessons with the younger girls in her own time.

Tidying the library.

Volunteering for things.

Being enthusiastic.

Even Dr. Lightowler said she thought her interpretation of Kate fighting with Bianca (me) “was quite remarkably vigorous.” Too true. I’m covered in bruises.

And also Dr. Lightowler seems to get madder by the moment. She only has to look at me to start blinking and twitching. It’s hardly my fault that during the Kate and Bianca fight Jo pushed me onto Dr. Lightowler’s lap.

Today—Thursday—at break, Jo called us all to a meeting on the roof. Which was freezing.

She said, “I’ve written an official letter of apology to Sidone. As Bob says, put your ears on while I read it to you.”